At a glance: the Māori seats
It’s the biggest electorate in the country, and this year there are some big names competing in Te Tai Tonga.
Former Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei will go up against the incumbent, Labour’s Rino Tirikatene; the Ma¯ori Party’s Mei Reedy-Taare, a longtime broadcaster and daughter of Ma¯ori education pioneer, Sir Tamati Reedy; and Emma-Jane Mihaere Kingi, standing for a third time for the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party.
Tirikatene has represented the seat since 2011. He holds it by 3500 votes.
Twists and turns in the national election campaign have been felt in the Ma¯ori electorate.
The most dramatic of these was Turei’s resignation as the Greens co-leader at the beginning of August, though she has remained as the party’s candidate for the Te Tai Tonga seat.
Te Tai Tonga comprises all of the South Island, Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands, and extends into the North Island to include Wellington and parts of the Hutt Valley as far north as Avalon.
The total area of 153,671 square kilometres makes it more than four times the size of the next biggest electorate, Clutha-Southland.
Te Tai Tonga is the most affluent Ma¯ori electorate – it has the highest percentage of people of Ma¯ori descent with a postgraduate degree, and the highest median family income.
There were 42,993 people enrolled on the Ma¯ori roll in Te Tai Tonga in 2014. Of those, 64 per cent voted in that election.
Emma-Jane Mihaere Kingi, Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party: Student, coffee-cart owner and mum. Iwi affiliations: Nga¯ ti Kahungunu, Scottish.
I stand as a protest against the prohibition laws of cannabis. Everyone seems to be looking at the cannabis issue. I would like to represent the people of Te Tai Tonga who are marginalised. I am at Otago University, working towards a bachelor of law, with the intention to help people through the system. Please, party vote wisely. Mauri Ora.
Mei Reedy-Taare, Ma¯ ori Party: Board member for Nga¯ ti Porou iwi, former broadcaster and journalist. Iwi affiliations: Nga¯ ti Porou, Nga¯ i Tahu.
I am proud and privileged to be Ma¯ori. I am humbled to stand for the largest and the most beautiful electorate in Aotearoa, and on a wha¯riki woven by my t¯ıpuna. By listening to your stories and working with you, I want to create positive solutions for Ma¯ori to model a future where wha¯nau, hapu¯, iwi and communities are empowered to self-determination.
Rino Tirikatene, Labour Party: Electorate MP for Te Tai Tonga. Iwi affiliations: Nga¯ i Tahu, Nga¯ ti Hine.
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He ta¯ngata, he ta¯ngata, he ta¯ngata. You’ll be familiar with this whakatauk¯ı: what is the most important thing in the world? It is people. This is my call to action in politics. This election year, I’m asking for your support. A vote for me and a vote for Labour means 100,000 new homes, more money for the health system we all rely on, and three years of free tertiary education.
Metiria Turei, Green Party: List MP. Iwi affiliations: A¯ ti Haunui a Pa¯ pa¯ rangi, Nga¯ ti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa.
The Greens will bring 360,000 families above the poverty line by increasing benefits and low wages, and fixing Working For Families. We will make Work and Income treat people with disabilities, older people and solo parents with respect and dignity. Give me your electorate vote for Te Tai Tonga if you want me back in Parliament to fight for your wha¯nau and your awa.